In Nomine Matris bagged Top Honors at Film Festival in New York City

International Film Festival Manhattan Best Picture Awardee, In Nomine Matris

Filipino film HUBO Productions’ IN NOMINE MATRIS (In the Name of the Mother) bagged top honors at the recently concluded International Film Festival Manhattan 2014 in New York City. Director Will Fredo’s dance-drama was named Best Picture, and lead actress Liza Diño was named Best Actress. Aside from the director and lead actress, the sold-out Opening Night and Encore presentations of the movie was attended by Executive Producer Greg Macaraeg, Marketing Producer Fernell Cruz, and world renowned Flamenco artist choreographer & actress Ms. Clara Ramona.

This is a momentous moment for the movie. In behalf of HUBO, Will Fredo, Greg Macaraeg, Ida Tiongson, Joan T. Manalang, Medwin Garcia, George Sommerrock, we share this honor to the entire cast, crew, patrons, and supporters of In Nomine Matris. Thank you to the audience of New York City, and the entire organization of the growing International Film Festival Manhattan.

Based on real life events, this heart-stomping and intense drama, In Nomine Matris (In the Name of the Mother) dares to capture the passion of women and their dance. At the same time the narrative pays homage to the Philippines’ Spanish heritage and culture.

In the heart of Metro Manila, Mara (Diño), a young dance protégé, seeks to land the principal part of a dance company that is helming a show named In Nomine Matris. On her quest to land the coveted break, a series of events turned her sense of meaning upside down and is faced with a life-changing decision. She turns to her mentor Mercedes (Ramona) and her mother Ava (Monsod) as she searches for answers in the beautifully loud and endlessly moving world she lives in.

“In Nomine Matris is the voice of the woman and the dance of her life. Intense and gripping, it is a marvelous fusion of flamenco and folk dances. In form and substance, this film is a winner. I cried in one scene. You gotta watch it.” ~ Marivir Montebon, NYC Executive Editor at OSM (Awesome Global Citizens online magazine)

“In Nomine Matris remains one of the most thematically daring and, ultimately, most visually compelling of films produced in this republic. Dance in this film is not merely an expression of a mood; dance in this film pushes the tale to a finish.” ~ From Tito Genova Valiente, “Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino” (Critics of Philippine Cinema), GAWAD URIAN (Critic’s Choice Awards)

“In Nomine Matris is the first local movie to feature flamenco as part of the story. It could very well be our official introduction to this classical Spanish dance with its elaborate footwork, arm, hand and body movements, sometimes with castanets or a fan.” ~ From Mario Bautista, Movie Critic and Columnist

“In Nomine Matris has a novel solution to most of its trickiest narrative hurdles: dance. It harnesses the heat and passion of flamenco as a means of expressing ideas and emotions that words are insufficient to carry. Whenever the characters arrive at an impasse, they strap on their dancing shoes and pound the dark away.” ~ From Philbert Ortiz Dy, Movie Critic for Click The City